History of TB in the Sudan

Abstract

Introduction: Medical history in Sudan is far from being complete. There are no reliable records. Attempt to write on the projects and development of history of TB in the Sudan is a difficult task.Objective: To study and trace the progress of TB in Sudan during the last century through their historical development.Design: A retrospective study.Methods: Data were collected from the annual reports of the Sudan Medical Services. Libraries and a number of previous studies were consulted.Results: The route of entry of TB in the Sudan is mainly from the North. The South was virgin from TB up to 1930s. Northern Sudanese tribes have a high susceptibility and incidence of TB during 1925-1932 (3.7/1000). The south and the Nuba Mountains were almost free from infection or disease. The infectivity rate was highest in North 4.3% while Khartoum showed 3%. In the South, Rumbek district, no TB cases were reported before the age of puberty up to 1930. Prevalence of tuberculosis in 1959/1960 was 26.0% and the detection rate was only 30%.Conclusion: Northern Sudanese contracted tuberculosis while serving in the Egyptian army and cities. The Southern and Western tribes who were almost free from TB infection became highly susceptible to both infection and disease. The infectivity rate remains static during the last 50 years. Keywords: Sennar, Nuba Mountains, Darfur, Kassala, Mediterranean